(2020-08-03). This week in history: August 3-9. wsws.org 25 years ago: Croatia launches ethnic cleansing of Serbs On August 4, 1995, the Croatian Army launched Operation Storm, one of the last major campaigns of the Bosnian War. It was orchestrated by Croatian President Franjo Tudjman against the Serbian-inhabited Krajina region, which in 1991, during the initial breakup of Yugoslavia, had declared its independence from Croatia.
(2020-08-03). European economy collapses as EU bails out the super-rich. wsws.org Eurostat economic figures for the second quarter of 2020 show that Europe saw its deepest and most sudden economic collapse in history.
(2020-08-03). French PM Castex urges vigilance as COVID-19 'is not on holiday'. yenisafak.com Prime Minister Jean Castex urged France on Monday to remain as vigilant as possible against COVID-19, which has shown signs of a resurgence in the country, as the virus was "not on holiday"."We must not let our guard down," Castex told reporters in Lille, where masks are now compulsory in many of the northern city's pedestrian areas and parks."The virus is not on holiday, and neither are we," he said, adding it was vital that France avoided another nationwide shutdown.The southern city of Nice on Monday also made wearing masks outdoors compulsory in many areas, including parts of the Promenade des Anglais, a popu…
(2020-08-03). Nobel laureate, former N.Ireland party leader John Hume dies. yenisafak.com Nobel peace laureate and former leader of Irish nationalist Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDPL) John Hume has died on Monday, according to a statement from his former party."We are deeply saddened to announce that John passed away peacefully in the early hours of the morning after a short illness," a statement from the SDLP said.Hume was born in Northern Ireland in 1937 and he was regarded as an important figure in recent political history in the region.Hume, as the leader of the SDLP, was one of the key architects of the 1998 Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement that ended decades of sectarian violence in North…
(2020-08-03). Turkey regrets US firm's signing oil deal with YPG/PKK. yenisafak.com Turkey Monday denounced a US firm's signing a deal with YPG/PKK-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to extract, process and produce oil in northeastern Syria."We deeply regret the US support to this step, disregarding international law, violating territorial integrity, unity and sovereignty of Syria, as well as being considered within the scope of financing terrorism. This act, which cannot be justified by any legitimate motive, is utterly unacceptable" the Foreign Ministry said in a written statement.Turkey's remarks came after media reports that the US-based company Delta Crescent Energy LLC signed a contract wi…
(2020-08-03). Eat before you die! Try out these mouth-watering Turkish Eid | dishes. yenisafak.com After celebrating Eid al-Ahda, the Muslim holiday of Sacrifice, we've tried out Turkish cuisine once more. And once more, we have fallen in love with the luscious flavors.As we have every year during Eid, we invite you to try out the unique flavors of Turkey's diverse cities. This year, we are pleased to share two new recipes with you and your family.Lamb neck soup (Gerdan Paàßasƒ±) from the Adana provinceINGREDIENTS2 pieces lamb neck 5 garlic cloves5 tablespoons oil3 tablespoons flour3 tablespoons butter1 lemonStale bread2 liters water 1 teaspoon black pepper1 teaspoon red pepper1 dessert spoon…
(2020-08-03). 'US unilateral anti-Iranian sanctions unfair'. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 03 (MNA) — Naming the unilateral US sanctions against Iran 'unfair', the Austrian Ambassador to Iran Stefan Schulz voiced readiness of 250 Austrian firms for establishing economic relations with Iran.
(2020-08-03). Ulyanov reacts to Dubowitz's remarks on Iran nuclear deal. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 03 (MNA) — Russia's Permanent Representative to International Organizations in Vienna Mikhail Ulyanov said that the atomic opportunities were given to Iran by NPT are absolutely legitimate.
(2020-08-02). Members of Congress returning to DC from Lewis funeral in Georgia won't have to follow quarantine rule made for everybody else. rt.com 
Politicians who attended the funeral of Congressman John Lewis in Georgia won't have to worry about Washington's new quarantine rules as they return to the city because they're deemed too essential to lock down. | A 'Who's Who' of Democrat politicians attended Thursday's funeral in Atlanta, despite a state ban on gatherings of more than 50 people. Some 50
(2020-08-02). Two guards stabbed during Georgia prison riot. Purported footage of violent uprising spreads on social media (VIDEOS). rt.com 
Two guards have been injured in a riot at Georgia's Ware State Prison, local media reported. Purported videos of the chaotic rebellion show inmates covered in blood, holding tasers, and even frog-marching handcuffed prison staff. | The situation is now under control and the facility, located near Waycross, has been put on lockdown, according to local media, citing a statement from the Georgia Department of Corrections. | "Two staff members received minor, non-life-threatening injuries and there are no reported inmate injuries at this time," the statement read. | Local reports also shared a statement from the W…
(2020-08-02). Mask madness is causing Kens & Karens everywhere to beat the cr*p out of each other (VIDEOS). rt.com 
The efficacy of mandatory mask rules is debatable, but a series of viral videos provide ample evidence that the guidelines have helped make 2020 one of the most absurd and painfully idiotic years in recent memory. | Mid-flight fisticuffs over maskless passengers: | The latest incident in the saga of mask-related assaults kicked off on a flight from Amsterdam to Ibiza. Two passengers on the KLM flight reportedly became physical after refusing to wear masks during the journey to Spain. Passengers and crew worked together to restrain the two men, who reportedly had been drinking. | Footage of the insane m…
(2020-08-02). U.S. Troop Removal From Germany: a NATO-Skeptic POTUS Always Wins. strategic-culture.org 
Is there any good reason why Germany is still occupied by the United States? After 75+ years one could make a strong argument that the Nazi threat is over. Donald Trump would seem to agree with this sentiment and directly stated that he wants to continue to reduce the number of American soldiers on the territory of today's friendlier tolerant and geopolitically submissive Deutschland. The logic by which U.S. forces are stationed across the globe has been called into question many times and very often has no sellable answer. Trump himself agrees with the dubious nature of the need to have an American army base in…
(2020-08-02). American Troops to Leave Germany: Is It Goodbye or Just Auf Wiedersehen? thealtworld.com The continued presence of tens of thousands of American military personnel in Europe seventy-five years after the end of the Second World War is rarely questioned either by politicians or the mainstream media. Currently there is little recollection of how, after the war ended, soldiers from Britain, France, the U.S. and the Soviet Union occupied Germany, each in a designated zone. Germany's capital Berlin was divided into four sectors, each with a foreign military occupying force. I was a part of that occupation force from 1968 through 1971, serving in the U.S. Army's Berlin Brigade as part of the 430th Military…
(2020-08-02). Are Russia And US Different When It Comes To Election Meddling? popularresistance.org On this week's installment of "Scheer Intelligence," Robert Scheer challenges guest David Shimer on the fundamental conclusions of his new book, "Rigged: America, Russia and 100 Years of Covert Electoral Interference," regarding the "intentions" for US covert operations versus those of the Soviet Union/Russia. | Excerpted and lauded in the New York Times and elsewhere in the mainstream media, "Rigged" outlines covert operations in various countries by both nation-states, including American interference in 1970s Chile and post-World War II Italy, among others, but has been best reviewed for its deep dive into Russ…
(2020-08-02). Video: That Sinking Feeling: Ukrainian Naval and Coastal Forces. globalresearch.ca In few areas are Russia's and Ukraine's divergent fortunes as evident as in naval armaments. Whereas the Russian Navy has overcome the malaise of the 1990s and went on to introduce new classes of warships, including state-of-the-art missile frigates, attack …
(2020-08-02). Video: Turkey Cries Foul About Deployment of Egyptian Troops in Idlib. What's Going On? globalresearch.ca The Egyptian military has deployed about 150 troops on the frontline in the Syrian region of Greater Idlib to support forces of the Damascus government, Turkish sources claimed on July 30. | "The troops were later deployed in the Khan al-Asal …
(2020-08-02). Leaving No Roma behind during a pandemic, and beyond: a UN Resident Coordinator's Blog. news.un.org Roma people in Europe face widespread discrimination in many areas of life, including housing and health. In this opinion piece, Francoise Jacob, the UN Resident Coordinator in Serbia, explains how the UN is helping Roma communities, many of which have no access to safe water or electricity, to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic.
(2020-08-02). The Russians Are(n't) Coming! popularresistance.org In America's Emerald City these days, if there's even a hint of a war-wind-down, imperial-deescalation, or military budget-cuts, Washington's (non-dribbling) Wizards have a ready response: Russia! Indeed, these military's magicians have a far-simpler and more effective playbook than the city's aptly-named NBA franchise. Since President Donald Trump's election year, basketball's Wizards are a meager 148-162; the Wizards of Warfare are essentially undefeated — not a single war hath ended. The first-place War Wizards rely on two go-to moves to maintain militarism…
(2020-08-02). Turkey-Azerbaijan joint military drills continue. yenisafak.com Joint military exercises, which began on July 29 with the participation of Turkey and Azerbaijan's air and ground forces, are continuing."Another stage of the Azerbaijani-Turkish Live-Fire Joint Large-Scale Tactical Exercises held in our country in accordance with the Agreement on Military Cooperation was conducted," Azerbaijan's Defense Ministry said on Sunday."According to the plan, the efficiency and coordination of tasks, the organization of interoperability, the logistic support in the course of combat operations, as well as the effectiveness of military personnel activity and the use of weapons and military…
(2020-08-02). Russia's coronavirus cases surpass 850,000. yenisafak.com Russia reported 5,427 new cases of the novel coronavirus on Sunday, bringing its nationwide tally to 850,870, the fourth largest caseload in the world.Russia's coronavirus taskforce said 70 people had died over the last 24 hours, pushing the official death toll in the country of around 145 million people to 14,128.
(2020-08-02). Top Iranian aide praises Turkey's Hagia Sophia move. yenisafak.com A senior advisor to Iran's supreme leader on Sunday congratulated Turkey for reopening the Hagia Sophia Mosque after 86 years as a museum."We congratulate the Turkish people for this important Islamic success," Ali Akbar Velayati, an aide to Ali Khamenei told Iranian state television.Velayati also criticized US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo for recent comments urging Ankara to reconvert the Hagia Sophia into a museum."His ancestors converted all museums of the world into churches. The Hagia Sophia, which has been a mosque for 500 years, will remain as a mosque until the apocalypse," Velayati stressed.Ankara has…
(2020-08-02). Turkish president greets Muslim leaders' Eid al-Adha. yenisafak.com The president of Turkey on Sunday spoke over the phone with his counterparts from Afghanistan and Indonesia on the occasion of the Muslim festival of Eid al-Adha.According to a statement by Turkey's Directorate of Communications, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Mohammad Ashraf Ghani and Joko Widodo exchanged greetings for Eid, one of the two most important Muslim holidays.The leaders underscored their commitment to improve bilateral relations and strengthen cooperation on regional issues.Most of the Muslim-majority countries around the world, including Turkey, are observing the four-day holiday that started on Friday.
(2020-08-02). Eid al-Adha: Turkey donates meat to needy Gazans. yenisafak.com Palestinian authorities on Sunday began distributing meat from livestock sacrificed with donations from Turkey on the Muslim Eid al-Adha festival to hundreds of families in need in the Gaza Strip.During the four-day holiday, the Ministry of Foundations and Religious Affairs aims to provide as many as 4,500 families with meat, Eshref Ismail, the director of the projects department at the ministry, told Anadolu Agency.The Turkiye Diyanet Foundation is financing the initiative.Most of the Muslim-majority countries around the world, including Turkey, are observing the four-day holiday that started on Friday.On Eid al…
(2020-08-02). Flights between Turkey, Iraq suspended over coronavirus. yenisafak.com Iraq reopened Baghdad and southern airports last week for international travel after months of closure caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
(2020-08-02). Austria seeking cultural, economic ties with Iran. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 02 (MNA) — Austrian Ambassador to Iran Stefan Schulz said that Austria seeks to expand cultural and economic relations with Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province in Iran.
(2020-08-02). VIDEO: Protests in Germany against COVID-19 restrictions. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 02 (MNA) — 18 police officers were injured during protests in Germany against the COVID-19 curbs. Several of the protesters were also arrested.
(2020-08-02). Zarif stresses need to update document on Iran-Russia coop. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 02 (MNA) — Iranian Foreign Minister in his meeting with with Chairman of the Russian Duma's Foreign Affairs Committee stressed the need to update the document of long-term cooperation between the two countries.
(2020-08-02). 2nd round of Iran-Ukraine talks to be held in Oct. in Tehran. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Aug. 02 (MNA) — Iranian Ambassador to Ukraine announced that the second round of talks between Iran and Ukraine over the issue of the Ukrainian aircraft's crash will be held in October 2020 in Tehran.
(2020-08-01). UK & Sweden's carbon targets half what is needed for 1.5C. mronline.org 
Climate progressive countries United Kingdom and Sweden have to ramp up their commitments to reach the Paris Agreement goal, according to a new study led by Kevin Anderson of the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research at the University of Manchester and Upsalla University.
(2020-08-01). 'Caspian Sea Monster': Unique Soviet Cold War-era flying ship to become main attraction at military theme park in Russia (VIDEO). rt.com 
A one-of-a-kind bizarre ekranoplan vehicle, which looks like a plane but is actually a military super ship, has arrived in the city of Derbent on the Caspian Sea. It will eventually be the highlight of its 'Patriot Park.' | Built in the Soviet Union in 1986, 903 Lun became the first and only missile-carrying ekranoplan in the world. It joined the Caspian Flotilla in the early 1990s and remained in service for a decade. | The 74-meter vehicle used the lift generated by the ground effect of its huge wings to fly several meters above the water surface. Despite closely resembling a plane, Lun was classified as a s…
(2020-08-01). Fuel truck rams into plane at Russia's largest airport on the day international flights resume (VIDEO). rt.com 
The resumption of international flights in Russia after the hiatus caused by Covid-19 has been marred by an accident at Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport, where a fuel truck collided with an Airbus A321. | The truck crashed into a plane belonging to Russia's top air carrier, Aeroflot, early on Saturday. It happened on a remote parking lot, and no crew or passengers were on board the Airbus, which was preparing for a flight to the Black Sea resort of Sochi, Sheremetyevo Airport's press service said. | Both the plane and the truck suffered damage in the collision. Photos and videos from the scene published by RT's R…
(2020-08-01). USSR's unique Cold War-era flying ship 'Caspian Sea Monster' to become main star of military theme park in Russia (VIDEO). rt.com A one-of-a-kind and bizarre-looking ekranoplan vehicle, which looks like a plane but is actually a military super ship, has arrived in the city of Derbent on the Caspian Sea where it will be the highlight of Patriot Park. | Built in the Soviet Union in 1986, 903 Lun became the first and only missile-carrying ekranoplan in the world. It joined the Caspian Flotilla in the early 1990s and remained in service for a decade. | The 74-meter vehicle used the lift generated by the ground effect of its huge wings to fly several meters above the water surface. Despite closely resembling a plane, Lun was classified as a s…
(2020-08-01). Russia aims to begin public Covid-19 vaccinations in October, starting with medical workers & teachers — Minister of Health. rt.com 
Russia expects to start mass anti-coronavirus vaccinations, across the country, by October, the country's health minister has said. Mikhail Murashko added that medical workers and teachers will be given first priority. | Murashko announced on Saturday that clinical trials of a vaccine developed by the Moscow-based Gamalei Institute have been completed and that the health ministry is aiming to begin a public vaccination program in October. Medical personnel and teachers will be the first to receive immunization, he said. "Now, the package of documents for the procedure of registration [of the vaccine] is being…
(2020-08-01). Da, Da, Da! As flights reopen, research reveals Russian women prefer Turkish delights for extramarital holiday fling. rt.com 
Are you thinking what she's thinking? Some women were undoubtedly overjoyed when it was announced that flights to Turkey are back on. A study has revealed the country is the most popular destination for Russians seeking to stray. | Specialists from the psychological training website 'Know Yourself' analyzed women's online communities, telegram chats, and popular forums, and identified 16 different resort locations where women admitted to cheating on their spouse. | The psychologists discovered that Russian women cheat on their husbands in Turkey more than any other resort location, ahead of Crimea and Sochi, a…
(2020-08-01). As rain falls & holiday season begins, Khabarovsk protests start to peter out. But thousands still march in support of ex-governor. rt.com 
Residents of the Far Eastern Russian city of Khabarovsk took to the streets for the 22nd day in a row, as thousands of locals protested against the arrest of former Governor Sergey Furgal, accused of ordering killings in the 2000s | But the crowd was significantly smaller than in previous weeks. Around 3,500 people
(2020-08-01). Moscow slams Polish claims that it planted explosives on late President Kaczynski's plane as 'endless fantasy-making'. rt.com 
Polish allegations that Russia planted TNT aboard the ill-fated plane of former President Lech Kaczynski are a figment of their imagination, Moscow has said, advising Warsaw to listen to the pilots' communications again. | "Reality has firmly intertwined with fiction, turning it into an endless fantasy-making process," Maria Zakharova, Russia's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, This investigati…
(2020-08-01). US 'working on nuclear non-proliferation agreement with Russia,' Trump says after discussing New START with Putin. rt.com 
US President Donald Trump has said that "it would be great" if Moscow and Washington agreed on a new nuclear non-proliferation deal. The admission comes after rare phone talks between the Russian and US leaders last week. | Trump has not provided any details as to the current state of the negotiations, which have been underway for quite some time. | Last Thursday, Trump held a rare phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, in which the two touched on a range of issues, among them the New Start Treaty, the last standing pillar upholding the nuclear arms control framework in…
(2020-08-01). Wife arrested on suspicion of murder after Ukrainian rapper Cartwright's corpse found chopped into pieces in fridge. rt.com 
The wife of Ukrainian rapper Andy Cartwright, who dismembered her deceased husband and placed his body parts in their apartment fridge, has been detained on suspicion of murder. | She had Russia's Investigative Committee charged Marina Kokhal with murder and believes she killed her husband during a quarrel, although how is unknown. She then cut up the body "in order to hide the traces of the crime," investigators said. Kokhal maintains that she did not kill the artist, whose…
(2020-08-01). If she's keen on Turkey, this may be why: Research says it's Russian women's favorite place for extramarital holiday fling. rt.com Are you thinking what she's thinking? Some women were undoubtedly overjoyed when it was announced that flights to Turkey are back on. A study revealed the country is the most popular infidelity destination for Russians. | Specialists from the psychological training website 'Know Yourself' analyzed women's online communities, telegram chats, and popular forums, and identified 16 different resort locations where women admitted to cheating on their spouse. | The psychologists discovered that Russian women cheat on their husbands in Turkey more than any other resort location, ahead of Crimea and Sochi, as well as…
(2020-08-01). Moscow calls Polish claims it planted explosives on crashed president Kaczynski's plane 'endless fantasy-making'. rt.com Polish allegations that Russia planted TNT aboard the plane of President Lech Kaczynski that crashed in 2010 are a figment of their imagination, Moscow said, advising Warsaw to listen to the pilots' communications again. | "Reality has firmly intertwined with fiction, turning it into an endless fantasy-making process," Maria Zakharova, Russia's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, This inves…
(2020-08-01). Home Office launches attack on 'activist lawyers' getting in the way of sending back refugees to France. thecanary.co 
The Home Office has launched an attack on what it calls "activist lawyers" who it says are frustrating efforts to send refugees back to France.It cited "vexatious" claims that are hindering its attempts to remove refugees from the UK, but refused to say how many remained in the country.Priti Patel's office also hit out at "inflexible and rigid" asylum regulations that it says are "not fit for purpose"."Vexatious" claims: The row comes after a record 202 refugees reached the UK by crossing the Channel on Thursday 30 July. More are believed to have made the perilous journey on 31 July.Suspected refugees inte…
(2020-08-01). Reopening of schools in Germany puts the lives of children and educators at stake. wsws.org The situation is highly dangerous. Since the easing of the coronavirus restrictions, the number of cases in Europe, and in Germany, is once again on the rise.
(2020-08-01). [Perspectives] Why vaccine rumours stick—and getting them unstuck. thelancet.com Infectious diseases have long shaped human history, from the plague of Athens (430—427 BCE) that killed around a third of the Athenian population, the Black Death in the 14th century that killed about 30—60% of all Europeans, and the 1918—19 influenza pandemic that took the lives of at least 50 million people globally. In the 8 months since the emergence of SARS-CoV-2, more than 600‚Äà000 people worldwide have died from COVID-19 as of July 21, 2020. No sector of society has been spared and the full economic and societal reckoning will be grim by any account.
(2020-08-01). The Kurdish Freedom Movement, Rojava And The Left. popularresistance.org The revolution in the Kurdish region of Syria called Rojava has generated significant enthusiasm among broad segments of the left in Europe and North America. The heroic resistance by Kurdish forces in Kobane, Syria during the siege by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in late 2014 and into early 2015 proved to be a pivotal moment. Images of revolutionary fighters, and particularly of armed women, engaged in a life-and-death struggle, bravely resisting the vicious onslaught by Islamist thugs, caught the attention and imagination of many on the so-called international left.
(2020-08-01). Germany's confirmed coronavirus cases rise by 955 to 209,653. yenisafak.com The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany increased by 955 to 209,653, data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases showed on Friday.The reported death toll rose by 7 to 9148, the tally showed.
(2020-08-01). Thousands march in Berlin to protest coronavirus curbs. yenisafak.com Thousands of demonstrators rallied in Berlin on Saturday to protest against measures imposed in Germany to stem the coronavirus pandemic, saying they violated people's rights and freedoms.The loose gathering, estimated by police at 15,000, included libertarians, constitutional loyalists and sceptics of the science behind policies to fight the pandemic. There was also a small far-right presence with some marchers carrying Germany's imperial flag.Protesters danced and sang 'We are free people!' to the tune of rock band Queen's 'We Will Rock You'. Others marched with placards saying 'We are making a noise because yo…
(2020-08-01). Kuwait bans flights to 31 'high risk' countries due to coronavirus. yenisafak.com Kuwait has banned until further notice commercial flights to 31 countries it said that it regarded as high risk due to the spread of the coronavirus, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation said on Saturday.The countries include India, Pakistan, Egypt, the Philippines, Lebanon and Sri Lanka, which all have large numbers of expatriates in Kuwait. The list also includes China, Iran, Brazil, Mexico, Italy and Iraq.The ban was announced the same day Kuwait began a partial resumption of commercial flights. The authorities have said Kuwait International Airport would run at about 30% capacity from Saturday, gradually…
(2020-08-01). Poland reports record rise in virus cases for third day. yenisafak.com Poland reported its highest number of new daily coronavirus cases since the global pandemic started for the third day in a row on Saturday, with 658 new infections, the Health Ministry said.More than 200 cases were reported in the Silesia mining region in southern Poland, which has been grappling with an outbreak amongst miners.The ministry also reported five new deaths.Poland has now reported a total of 46,346 coronavirus cases and 1,721 deaths.
(2020-08-01). Environmental disasters across world in July 2020. yenisafak.com Numerous environmental disasters occurred across the world in the month of July which included forest fires in Ukraine, a storm in Russia, landslides in Myanmar, Nepal, China and many flash floods caused by heavy rains.Here is a timeline compiled by Anadolu AgencyJuly 1: – Powerful floods affect over 1.4 million people in the state of Assam, northeast India, according to the country's disaster authorities.July 2: – At least 110 miners are killed in a landslide, caused by heavy rain, at a jade mine in the state of Kachin, northern Myanmar, according to the country's emergency services.July 3: – At least eight people…
(2020-08-01). Russia's coronavirus death toll exceeds 14,000. yenisafak.com Russia reported 95 new deaths from the novel coronavirus on Saturday, pushing its national tally to 14,058.Officials also reported 5,462 new cases of the novel coronavirus over the past 24 hours, pushing the country's tally to 845,443.